How to Patch a Hole in Drywall

Well, I have seen enough of repair works at my home and one thing I have always noticed are the nettlesome holes they leave behind. This is true especially with electrical repair works. After the electrician pulls out the outlet box to replace it with a new one, there they are―those pesky, expected holes in the wall.

The marks and holes increase if you have a drywall. It cannot withstand extreme tension. Before you start fixing the holes, you need to purchase a drywall kit from a hardware store for yourself. Apparently, there are different types and sizes of kits available for different patches.

If you are working on patching a hole in drywall ceiling, the material is thicker. In any case, before you begin to patch it up, clean all the material around the hole. We'll now see how you can patch a large hole, and then instructions for the small one.

• Utility knife
• Small board
• Scrap piece of drywall
• Pencil keyhole saw
• Putty knife
• Flathead screws
• Screwdriver
• Sandpaper
• Drywall compound (glue)
• Paintbrushes
• Paint and primer

Step #1: Using a utility knife, cut a scrap piece of drywall into a rectangle or square shape. Make sure you cut the shape bigger than the damaged hole so as to cover the area conveniently. You can even buy a ready-made drywall patch from the hardware store if you can arrange for one of the same type.

Step #2: Now place that cut patch gently against the damaged area and trace its outlines.

Step #3: Cut out the trace using a keyhole saw. Start cutting from the inner border of the trace line; remember, the patch has to fit into that space.

Step #4: Hold the wallboard in the patch work place. Keep the measurement about 6'' longer than the usual dimension of the hole.

Step #5: After all the measurements, place the board in the hole, align it well, and hold it rigidly in the insides of the wallboard (fasten the board with flat-head screws through the sides of the hole as well as below the surface of the drywall).

Step #6: Use glue to hold the patch in the wall. Initially, spread the compound at the back of the patch and also around the edges.

Step #7: Immediately, set the glued patchwork into the hole, in a way that it fits its exact measurements. With your hands, hold the patch for a while for the glue to set. Leave it for overnight drying.

Step #8: After a few days, hide the exposed screw heads with a joint compound. Leave all of this to dry neatly, and lightly apply sand, prime, and paint to the new patch of drywall.

• Tape measure
• Awl
• Keyhole saw
• Clean tin can lid
• Scissors (or wire cutters)
• Putty knife
• Drywall patching
• Scrap wood
• Thin wire
• Drywall compound (glue)
• Sandpaper
• Paintbrushes, primer and paint

Step #1: Obtain a tin can lid as a backing piece, one that is 1½'' more in diameter than the hole size.

Step #2: Now on each side of the small hole, cut out narrow horizontal slits using a keyhole saw. Ensure that the size of the slits and holes measure up in equal diameters such that the insertion of the lid in the sideways of the hole is feasible.

Step #3: Use an awl and punch two holes. Then, thread 12-inch strings or wires through the holes.

Step #4: Hold the ends of the string close and pass the lid through the slit. Continue holding the wire and pull the lid toward you gently, until the lid fits flat against the wall.

Step #5: For holding the wood in a proper place, use a scrap wood to stick on the exterior of the hole. Hold the can lid firmly.

Step #6: Use a putty knife to apply the compound to the patch. Try to use an alternative like Plaster of Paris to make an easy compound.

Step #7: Pack the compound you make into the hole against the backing conveniently. Let it remain inside the hole. Hide the backing and fill up the slits but just make sure you don't spread it on the entire wall surface.

Step #8: Let the entire patch dry for a day on the wall until it shows a bright white color. When everything's dry, cut out the wire and pull out the stick which was in-fixed.

Step #9: For finishing touches, fill the covering of the patch with more compound in case you desire to level it furthermore. Leave it to dry and then apply sand, paint, and primer to the new patch.

That's it. You're done.